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Can anyone assist in identifying the Japanese Warrior Kimono urn shown in the attached photo? It is quite large (23" high x 17" wide), has a lid topped with a temple dog and is marked (see 2nd photo). The piece was purchased in the very early 1900's. Thank you for any information or guidance you can offer.

This urn is typical of a type made for export during the late Meiji period, or circa 1900. Your hand-copied marking may be "右三" (literally "right, three"), a factory notation indicating the vase is the third of a set and meant to sit on the right side of an altar or mantle.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you! I know nothing of Japanese pottery or writing but, while searching through hundreds of marks, I had begun to suspect that this simple one might be a number instead of a name. I also appreciate your dating it - that makes sense.

QK

Hi,

For me it looks more like a factory mark rather than a signature. The characters could be 右 and 三 = Migi (right) and san (3). But maybe someone with more experience has another idea.
Regards,
Martin

Another explanation for those numbers I have heard is that they indicate the place of the painter in the factory...

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